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When Joey Barton, Matt Crooks, Jordan Rossiter, Niko Kranjcar and Josh Windass all arrived, people questioned whether he’d still retain a place in the team.

But Halliday is still there and one of the first names on Warburton’s team-sheet.

He’s delighted that Toral and Hyndman have strengthened the squad – and insists he’ll fight anyone for a shirt.

He said: “The new boys, Jon and Emerson, can help us out in midfield. We’ve been very unlucky so far this season as we’ve had a lot of injuries in that department.

“We’ve been light in numbers so the gaffer wanted to get some new boys in and they’re two good additions.

“The Leipzig game was a tough one to come into but they’ve looked good in training.

Andy Halliday applauds the 8,000 Rangers fans in Germany

“We’ll know each other a lot better after another week’s work before the Motherwell game. They’ll also learn more about how we want to play. I welcome the competition as you can’t be at a club like Rangers and not expect people to try and take your jersey.

“There was competition from the guys who arrived at the start of the season and it forced me to raise my game.

“I think I did that when I had to at the beginning of the campaign. It benefited my game and I’m sure the same will apply again. All the boys will feel the same. When there’s someone breathing down your neck trying to take your place you know you have to play well to stay in the team.”

Halliday and Rangers were given a reality check at the weekend when they were hammered 4-0 by RB Leipzig in a friendly in Germany.

It gave them a glimpse of where they have to try and get to – but also just how far away they are.

Halliday was grateful for the experience. And he says Gers have suffered from not getting similar tests in pre-season – due to their early participation in cup competitions.

As for their performance in Germany, the midfielder admits they must improve, especially in the final third of the pitch.

Halliday battles against his Leipzig counterparts

He said: “Since I arrived at the club the gaffer has spoken about how he wanted to give us a testing pre-season. But for the last two seasons he hasn’t been able to do it. The first year it was the Petrofac Cup, then it was the Betfred Cup.

“We had to deal with the challenge that was put in front of us so it’s not in any way an excuse. But games like the one in Germany showed how much we needed it.

“Since the manager came here we haven’t been tested against a big, European club in one of these friendlies.

“It’s important to see where we’re at. We knew the Leipzig game would be a huge challenge because they’re flying in the Bundesliga.

“They’re a very strong team and we knew the threat they would pose. We need to get better, we know that and we’ve spoken about it in the last few weeks.

“We’re getting into dangerous positions but our final ball is letting us down. That’s an area we need to work on.”